I hope that they built a contingency into that rent, i.e. if they are successful in obtaining a full liquor license, it's 10K otherwise substantially less. The Community Board is not looking favorably on new liquor license applications for Washington Ave, so it should not be assumed that a full license, or even a beer and wine license, will be issued. That said, it will make add to the variety of offerings in the neighborhood, one does so tire of Caribbean and salty Chinese.

If I were the potential proprietor, I would make sure that I had my liquor license in hand before I put any money into the property.

The owners of the Sunshine Co. almost got burned by investing huge amounts of money BEFORE their alc permit was granted.

...in that instance, the alcohol permit was granted despite the advice of the CB.

That's not the case. The Community Board asked the State Liquor Authority to make a determination as to whether Sunshine was subject to the SLA's 200 foot rule, which prohibits a full liquor license within 200 feet of a building that operates primarily as a house of worship. There is a church catty-corner to Sunshine, but as the SLA determined it is part of a complex of three storefronts within one building lot, the 200 foot rule did not apply.

The 200 foot rule is not discretionary on the part of the CB or the SLA.

This contradicts what I heard elsewhere, but I will admit to not being an expert on the SLA rules.

...I don't know whether to be happy or sad that such things are not discretionary.

Returning to 810 Washington, as of today (May 21, 2013) it remains an active listing on CPEX's website. Does this mean they don't have a signed lease yet, or simply that they have not taken the listing down?

I asked the contractors what was going on and they didn't know anything. Seems like if it was being renovated for a restaurant, they would know something more. Also, they dumped a bunch of primer pain on the sidewalk and down the drain. Not cool.

Franklin has these airy, cute upscale mini markets. Even Bedford has at least one. But all the supposedly 'yuppified' Vanderbilt has is everyone's last resort, Met Foods. So great. If I can walk one avenue over for a more organic selection of macaroni and cheese then I currently have access to, i say small victory.

Personally, I wish Kareem's & United would both fade away...those two spots disappearing would go a long way toward eliminating the fairly constant loitering, littering, dealing, and the uncomfortable commentary many women receive from their patrons...

Those stores disappearing might have that effect, but I want you to be aware of why that stretch of Washington has so many idle, middle age, poor men.

The answer is that they reside in 781 Washington, and in apartments above the 828 Washington storefront. And, that many receive said housing as a result of long standing substance abuse and psychiatric diagnoses.

If we use the word "only" it is racist, but if we use the words "the building will go from predominantly poor black to predominantly non poor, non black", we describe what is about to happen to that building (and likely the surrounding block) with politically correct language, and statistical accuracy.

BTW, the impact of this change is big enough that it has received its own thread and been awarded a spot on my Big 16 list: